Water cooler



P. HAYMOND May 24, 1932/ WATER COOLER Filed Sept. 2, 1950 Juvcntor M M W P attorneys" Patented May 24, 1932 PAUL HAYEQND, OF. FAIBMONT, WEST woman coonnn Application filed September 2, 1930. Serial No. 479,339.

The "present invention relates to water coolers and while more especially intended for coolers of the compresser-condenser-expander type, is also capable of use in any refrigeratin system in which a fluid refrigerant is emp oy d.

In this class of water coolers as now known, great difficulty is encountered by reason of the fact that ice is liable to form in the cooler immediately around the expander. This ice formation is generally caused by reason of the low temperatures produced when the cooler is not in use; i. e., when the cooling system continues to operate but the cool water is not replaced by warmer water from time to time as in the ordinary procedure. Such a layer of ice formed around the expander not only serves as an insulating medium to prevent the proper coo ing of the water, but also is liable to causeleaks in the refrigerating system thus placing the apparatus entirely out of operation.

It has been attempted to eliminate the above difliculties in water coolers of this type by employing a thermostat located in the water tank, however, such devices have not proved satisfactory for the reason that water is a poor conductor of heat and hence while the thermostat registered a relatively high temperature ice would be forming around the expander; or, if the thermostat is located close to the expander its temperature would be lowered and shut off the refrigerant while the surrounding water was too warm for the purposes intended.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to combine with a water cooler of the type referred to, a thermostat for controlling the flow of refri erant, and at the same time provide means or maintaining a more nearly uniform temperature of the water in the cooler, whereby the cooling system will be controlled in accordance with the temperature of the water in the cooler .without liability of the formation of ice, and without liability of the water becoming too warm for use.

A further object of the invention resides in so connecting the thermostatic valve in the system as to provide an immediate response .to operations of the valve and thus render the system highly sensitive.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description when taken 1n connection with the accompanyng drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the numeral 1 indicates a water compartment of substantially cylindrical form to which is bolted a head 2, a gasket 3 being disposed in the joint to form a seal. Mounted upon the inner side of the head 2 is a chamber 4 which serves as an expander compartment for the cooling fluid. It will be understood, however, that the ex ander may be otherwise secured centrally o the water compartment 1.

Also connected to the head 2 are inlet and I outlet pipes 5 and 6 respectively, for conveying the cooling medium from the condenser and for returning the exhaust gases to the compressor after passing through the expander.

It is essential in devices of this type-that the formation of layers of ice about the expander be prevented, and to this end I have provided a plurality of fins 7 preferably of copper. These fins as shown in the present embodiment of the invention are of circular. form and are rather closely spaced throughout the length of the expander. lVhile preferably formed of copper, it will be understood that fins of any other metal having a high degree of heat conductivity may be employed. It is desirable also that the fins be of such dimensions as to extend almost to the inner wall of the water compartment; sufficient space being left, however, to permit adequate circulation of water in the compartment. By means of this heat radiating 95 construction it will be apparent that the temperatures are practically equalized and that therefore, zones or layers of Water differing greatly in temperature are eliminated.

For the purpose of maintaining the water 1o in the compartment 1 at the desired temperature, a thermostat 8 is lprovided. This thermostat is mounted in t e head 2and extends through a plurality of the fins 7; certain of the fins adjacent the head being provided with aligned openings 9 for this purpose. In order to render the thermostat highly sensitiveit is desirable that it be in intimate contact with the fins 7 and to secure this result, as well as to afford a ready means for inserting and removing the thermostat-when desired, a plurality of notches 10 is made around each of the openings 9. By this means a certain amount offiexibility is provided in the fins 7 in which the thermostat is mounted, thus permitting the thermostat to be easily inserted and removed even though in intimate contact with the fins.

Associated with the thermostat 8 is a valve 11 which is connected to the exhaust pipe 6 on the low pressure or suction side of the coolin system. It will be apparent, therefore, t at as soon as the temperature of the water in the compartment 1 rises to the point at which the thermostat is set to operate, the valve 11 will be opened, thus immediately causing the vcooling fluid to function and lower the temperature ofv the water. Likewise when the temperature in the compartment 1 falls below the setting of the thermostat the valve 11 will be closed, thereby promptly stopping further cooling of the apparatus.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be obvious thatIhave provided a construction in which the water to be cooled is maintained atsubstantially' the same temperature throughout, and that. by reason of this fact the thermostat which is in the water compartment is responsive to the temperature ofthe entire body ofwater rather than to some particular zone as would be the case were the fins 7 notemployed. It is clear, therefore, that this combination of elements serves to avoid the possibility of forming a layer of ice around the expander with the attandant disadvantage of insulating the expanderfrom the main body of water, and also prevents the liability of disrupting the cooling system by causing cracks in the expander. Moreover, by reason of the combination of elements as disclosed herein, the water drawn from the cooler will always be at substantially the temperature for which the thermostat is set; that is, so long as the cooling system is in operation.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described what I now believe to be the preferred form of the invention, but it willbe understood that various minor changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention; and all such changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A water cooler including a water compartment, means for cooling saidfcompartment comprising a chamber disposed within said compartment for receiving a coolin medium, inlet and outlet pipes for said 0 amber, a plurality of metal fins secured to they exterior wall of said chamber and extending to points adjacent the inner wall of said compartment, a thermostat in said compartment and in contact with the fins, and a valve associated with the thermostat and connected with the outlet pipe of the chamber.

2. A water cooler including a water compartment, means for cooling said com artment comprising a chamber disposed within said compartment'for receiving a cooling medium, inlet and outlet pipes for said chamber, a plurality of metal fins secured to the exterior wall of said chamber and extending to points adjacent the inner wall of said compartment, certain of said fins provided with aligned openings, a thermostat in said compartment and seated in said openings, and a valve associated with the thermostat and connected with the outlet pipe of the chamber.

3. A water cooler including a water compartment, means for cooling said compartment comprising a chamber disposed within said compartment for receiving a cooling medium, inlet and outlet pipes for said chamber, a. plurality of metal fins secured to the exterior wall of said chamber and extending to points adjacent the inner wall of said compartment, certain of said fins provided with aligned openingsand radial notches, a thermostat in said compartment and seated in said openings, and a valve associated with the thermostat and connected with the outlet pipe of the chamber.

4. A water cooler including a water compartment, means for cooling said compartment comprising a chamber disposed within said compartment for recelving a cooling me-v of the chamber.

PAUL HAYMON D. 

